Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario broke a bone in his ankle during Saturday’s Premier League thrashing of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Italian played through the pain for around an hour to finish the game – which Spurs convincingly won 4-0 to hand City a fifth consecutive defeat across all competitions – but has since had to undergo surgery and will be sidelined for a period of time.
No recovery timeframe has been confirmed by Spurs, but reported estimates range from six weeks to several months.
Vicario took to Instagram on Monday night following the operation, sharing a picture of himself in a hospital bed and delivering a message to the club’s supporters.
“Sometimes football gives you its highs, and sometimes it challenges you in ways you don’t expect. I played 60 minutes at the Etihad with a broken bone in my ankle, giving absolutely everything I had for the team. Unfortunately there was no way around this one. I needed surgery,” he said.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be able to help the team for a while. A massive thank you to the doctors and the staff. The operation went well, and from tomorrow I’ll be working hard to come back stronger, fitter, and ready to give my all for you again.”
Former Southampton and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been Vicario’s back-up this season, taking a regular seat on the bench in the Premier League and getting playing time in the Europa League and Carabao Cup. The 36-year-old is now set to step up as a replacement starter.
Vicario’s enforced absence will also mean a temporary promotion for third choice Brandon Austin. The 25-year-old academy graduate has never made a first-team appearance, spending time out on loan at Viborg in Denmark and Major League Soccer’s Orlando City in recent years. But he has been on the bench for European games this season and the Premier League opener in August.
